What Can You Give a Dog That Constantly Eats Hair?

Dogs can develop eating disorders, just like humans. One of the most common is when dogs eat their own hair. The drive to ingest material that's not considered food is known as "pica" and is considered to be a compulsive disorder by animal behaviorists. Hair eating can often be the result of stress, and your veterinarian can prescribe drugs for your dog to help control the problem. But there are many factors, including nutritional imbalances and environmental influences, that may result in pica. It is important to determine the exact cause of the behavior before prescribing medication to treat it.

  1. Compulsive Disorders and Stress

    • Compulsive disorders often manifest in repetitive, nonfunctional, harmful behaviors. A dog with a compulsive disorder has lost control over the ability to stop repetitive behaviors --- which are often oral in nature, such as nonstop licking and hair eating. The compulsive disorder is often brought on by stress due to environmental conflicts. Competition for attention with other pets, excessive punishment, isolation, confinement, changes in the home, lack of socialization or too much attention can cause stress-related pica.

    Nutritional Imbalances and Pica-related Health Issues

    • Nutritional imbalances and deficiencies can also bring on pica. When this is the case, there are often other symptoms that accompany the compulsive behavior, including dry or flaky skin and coat, hair loss, anemia, fatigue, muscle spasms, irregular heartbeat, and bone and growth problems. Your veterinarian may order blood tests, urinalysis and a biochemical profile to rule out underlying diseases. The vet may also order abdominal X-rays to rule out gastrointestinal blockages that may result from pica. Allergies may also be a cause of hair eating. The veterinarian can prescribe dietary changes, supplements and medication to treat any medical or nutritional cause of pica.

    Behavioral Controls for Pica

    • If you have established that the compulsive disorder is not related to a health issue or nutritional imbalance, you will need to address the dog's environment. Is your dog crated, confined or left alone for long periods of time? If so, you need to give the dog relief. Take the dog for daily walks. Offer good quality time on a regular schedule with the animal. Avoid, however, giving the dog attention when it is in the midst of licking or eating hair; this will only reinforce the pica behavior. Punishment for the unwanted behavior may make it worse.

    Drug Therapy

    • If all else fails, discuss drug therapy with your veterinarian. The vet may prescribe anti-anxiety medication or antidepressant drugs that raise serotonin levels and can sometimes help relieve pica symptoms.